‘Will play if only 100 per cent fit’

India had barely started their warm-up session on Friday when skipper Virat Kohli clutched his right shoulder. The heavy fall trying to stop a boundary in the Ranchi Test threatens to keep him out of a Test due to injury for the first time.

He managed to play 20 minutes of foot volley with the team. As the session progressed, Kohli walked to the nets. After five minutes of light throwdowns, he batted and looked fine.

Kohli knows batting may be the least of his problems though he has only managed 46 runs in this series. But he can’t hold back on the field, and that can aggravate the injury.

“An impact injury is an impact injury,” he explained. “Need to give a bit more time before I can take the call with the physio (Patrick Farhart). I have to look at the full match scenario when I take the decision,”

Nothing would please Austrathe lia more than seeing Kohli off their back. But the skipper saw the bigger picture. “The injury has an element of being aggravated in the field. While batting, there is no discomfort.

Kohli said: “I am no different from anyone. No special treatment for me and the same rule applies for anyone. Me being 100 per cent fit is the only condition that I will play tomorrow.”

He added: “The injury has an element of being aggravated in field. While batting, there is no discomfort. I have taken medication after the last game and that is why I have to take a bit of time before I take the decision to play.”

Kohli has struggled for runs in the series. However, he said his lack of form has not been a deterrent to India’s fortunes. “I have not done anything so far. Yet, the Indian team has won.”

In this series, Kohli has managed scores of 0,13,12,15 and 6.

In the series, Kohli has been subjected to plenty of criticism, most notably from the Australian media.

Kohli stated he is not bothered. “The criticism doesn’t matter. I have always said what I wanted and I don’t have regrets. For me what my teammates think of me is important. However, I am surprised by the way this has affected people.”

All season, Virat has been unstoppable. He had scored a double century against each of India’s four previous opponents. He will be desperate to end a subdued run, but team comes first.

An impact injury is an impact injury. One needs to give a bit more time before I can make the call with the physio. I have to look at the full match scenario when I take the decision.

The injury has an element of being aggravated in the field. While batting, there is no discomfort. I have taken medication after the last game and that is why I have to take a bit of time.

Criticism doesn’t matter. I’ve always said what I wanted, and I don’t have regrets. For me what my teammates think of me is important. Virat Kohli, on his injury and criticism by the Australian camp.